Job 33:31

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"Pay attention, Iyov, listen to me; keep quiet, and I will keep speaking.

Berean Standard Bible:

Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.

American Standard Version:

Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: Hold thy peace, and I will speak.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Mark well^{H7181}, O Job^{H347}, hearken^{H8085} unto me: hold thy peace^{H2790}, and I will speak^{H1696}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Job 33:31

Job 33:31 is a part of the speech given by Elihu, one of the characters in the Book of Job, which is a part of the wisdom literature in the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. The Book of Job deals with the age-old question of why suffering exists, particularly for the righteous, and it is named after its central character, Job, a man known for his piety and integrity.

In the verse, Elihu is urging Job to listen attentively and to remain silent so that Elihu can speak. Elihu, who is younger than Job and his other friends, has been observing the dialogue between Job and his three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—who have been trying to convince Job that his suffering must be a punishment for some hidden sin. Elihu, feeling indignant about their inability to answer Job satisfactorily and their failure to honor God in their arguments, steps in to offer his perspective.

The themes of this verse include the importance of listening, the value of wisdom from unexpected sources, and the search for understanding in the face of suffering. Elihu's intervention reflects a common biblical theme where younger characters, despite their age, can possess insight and wisdom that surpasses that of their elders. This verse also highlights the didactic nature of the dialogue within the Book of Job, where speaking and listening are central to the quest for truth and understanding.

Historically, the Book of Job is thought to have been written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), a period when the Israelites were grappling with theodicy—the justice of God—amidst their national suffering. The book, therefore, reflects the broader theological and philosophical debates of that era, as it challenges simplistic explanations for suffering and encourages a deeper, more nuanced exploration of the divine-human relationship.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7181
   There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָשַׁב
   Transliteration: qâshab
   Pronunciation: kaw-shab'
   Description: a primitive root; to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken; attend, (cause to) hear(-ken), give heed, incline, mark (well), regard.
   
2. Strong's Number: H347
   There are 2478 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִיּוֹב
   Transliteration: ʼÎyôwb
   Pronunciation: ee-yobe'
   Description: from אָיַב; hated (i.e. persecuted); Ijob, the patriarch famous for his patience; Job.
   
3. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2790
   There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָרַשׁ
   Transliteration: chârash
   Pronunciation: khaw-rash'
   Description: a primitive root; to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad sense); hence (from the idea of secrecy) to be silent, to let alone; hence (by implication) to be deaf (as an accompaniment of dumbness); [idiom] altogether, cease, conceal, be deaf, devise, ear, graven, imagine, leave off speaking, hold peace, plow(-er, man), be quiet, rest, practise secretly, keep silence, be silent, speak not a word, be still, hold tongue, worker.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.